IN just a few days’ time, the cars that took part in this year’s Bangers4BEN charity rally will be going under the hammer.
This year’s epic trek saw 38 teams and 41 cars drive the 1,800 miles from the UK to Maranello and back.
All the competing vehicles which took part in the Car Dealer Magazine event will be included in the upcoming charity auction to be held at BCA Blackbushe at 11.15am on Friday October 28.
The sale was originally scheduled for 1pm but has been brought forward by an hour and three-quarters.
The cars include a Zombie-fighting Ford Fiesta, a Ford Ka covered in fur, a Spaghetti Bolognese-covered Beetle and a 1999 Daihatsu HiJet dressed up as Scooby Doo’s Mystery Machine.
Previous auctions have seen the Bangers4BEN cars go on to have second lives on TV, as promotional vehicles or even be used in other banger rallies.
This year among the ragbag assortment of the weird, wonderful and woeful were a handful of rare and collectible gems, which will also go under the hammer.
These include a very early example of the BMW-built Mini, registered in August 2001 which is already seen as something of a classic, with or without its current Jurassic Park themed wrap.
Another future classic is the early Mercedes-Benz SLK. Once someone’s pride and joy, the drop-top Merc is wrapped in white with the Italian flag and will be sold with no reserve.
Organisers hope the sale will push the total amount raised by this year’s rally past the £50,000 mark.
Andy Entwistle, managing director of Blackball Media, publishers of Car Dealer Magazine, said: ‘Bangers4BEN has grown to become a real highlight of the UK automotive calendar.
‘But all the silliness is for a serious cause, with all the proceeds from the event going to help fund BEN’s fabulous work.
‘Hopefully, those attending the auction will bid generously and help us raise as much money as possible for this brilliant charity.’
Trade buyers wishing to bid for lots in the auction can do so online by using their BCA account. Private buyers can register and bid in person at the auction. Full details of the cars on offer can be found here.
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